Common goes home, remembers how to ‘Be’

SOUND BITES: Audio reviews

updated 4:10 p.m. ET June 23, 2005

Common goes home to remember how to “Be”, the Wallflowers enter middle age with “Rebel, Sweetheart” and Shelby Lynne just trying to “Suit Yourself” in this week's reviews.

"Be," Common
Sometimes you've just gotta go home to get the beats you need.

Common has hooked up with old friend and fellow Chicago native Kanye West for a poignant album that's as tight and soulful as his last CD was unfocused and disappointing. Seeming rejuvenated by West's creativity, he packs more thought and emotional punch into each verse here than many hip-hoppers spread across their entire albums.

A master storyteller with an exacting eye for detail, Com crafts characters in these 11 songs that won't simply "Be." They grow, make choices, learn. With all their flaws and glory, they form the city and the black community that he loves and wants to celebrate before the world.

Every track contains a revelation. The intentions of a woman in court to "Testify" at her husband's trial come gradually into focus through the course of just 2 1/2 minutes. A lust-filled relationship unfolds subtly and surprisingly in the soft-yet-slammin' "Go!"

With West behind the boards on those and seven other tunes, the soundscapes layered over boom-bip snare drums are lush and jazzy: A perfect fit for Common's blend of big, hopeful themes and eye-on-the-street reporting.

The ultimate example is the first single "The Corner," where Common raps at one point, "It's hard to breathe, nights/Days are thief like /The beast roam the streets, the police is Greek-like."

West is at his producing peak on the song and the inspiring intro "Be," but falters when he relies too much on his trademark sped-up vocal sample style in "Faithful." His raps, however, add a clever and light touch to the sometimes over-serious Common, like on "The Dave Chappelle Show's" live cut "The Food" and the John Legend-featuring "They Say."

Common's last CD was a letdown, with no clear themes or musical direction. He was desperately in need of a big comeback, and the Chi-town pairing with West has produced just that: a near-classic.
— Ryan Pearson

"Rebel, Sweetheart," The Wallflowers
The Wallflowers enter musical middle age gracefully with their fifth release "Rebel, Sweetheart."

Going on 15 years, the Jakob Dylan-led combo yet again delivers a nuanced, musically bright, and lyrically dense effort.

With an ever-shifting cadre of band members, the latest incarnation of the Wallflowers continues to sound more like Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band than anything the elder Dylan ever produced (you know the guy, goes by Bob).

But like father like son, Jakob Dylan isn't above leaving listeners a little perplexed. Take the album's title, for example. In promotional material, the young Dylan says that the "rebel" in the title is a verb, not a noun. Beyond that, he won't explain what it means.

Listeners will find fertile lyrical ground to hunt for clues. The 12 tracks on "Rebel, Sweetheart" crackle with both musical and lyrical intensity. Particularly noteworthy is the opening track, "Days of Wonder," which isn't quite as full of optimism as the title may suggest.

What the album doesn't appear to have are any breakout hits like those on 1996's "Bringing Down the Horse," which propelled the band to stardom. Hits mean little to most Wallflowers fans, but without them, the band is not likely to attract many new listeners with this one.
— Scott Bauer

MORE FROM ALBUM REVIEWS

Jonas Brothers, J.J. Cale have new CDs

Jonas Brothers, J.J. Cale have new CDs Morrissey, M. Ward have new CDs Franz Ferdinand, Dierks Bentley have new CDs Springsteen, Animal Collective have new CDs Review: Springsteen’s new ‘Dream’ rings hollow Jamie Foxx, Keyshia Cole have new CDs Common, Barry Manilow have new CDs   Add Album reviews headlines to your news reader: